You shouldn’t have to give up comfort or drain your wallet to keep your house at a pleasant temp during summer weather.
But what is the right setting, exactly? We discuss recommendations from energy pros so you can find the best setting for your residence.
Here’s what we advise for the most energy-efficient setting for air conditioning in Mankato area.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer
Most families find setting the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is most comfortable. However, if there’s a sizeable difference between your interior and exterior temps, your cooling costs will be larger.
These are our suggestions based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
While at home: 78 degrees. While that appears too high, there are approaches you can keep your residence refreshing without having the air conditioner on constantly.
Keeping windows and curtains down during the day keeps cold air where it should be—within your home. Some window treatments, such as honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, are created to provide more insulation and improved energy savings.
If you have ceiling fans in your residence, the DOE says you can raise thermostat settings about 4 degrees warmer without sacrificing comfort. That’s due to the fact they refresh by a windchill effect. Because they cool people, not spaces, switch them off when you leave a room.
If 78 degrees still appears too warm initially, try running a trial for about a week. Begin by upping your setting to 78 degrees while you’re at your house. Then, gradually turn it down while using the ideas above. You may be surprised at how cool you feel at a higher temperature setting.
While away: 88 degrees. There’s no need to keep the air conditioner running all day while your home is unoccupied. Turning the setting 7¬¬–10 degrees hotter can save you an estimated 5–15% on your electricity expenses, according to the DOE.
When you arrive home, don’t be tempted to put your thermostat below 78 to cool your home faster. This isn’t effective and often leads to a more expensive air conditioner bills.
A programmable thermostat is a useful way to keep your settings in check, but you have to set programs. If you don’t use programs, you might forget to move the set temperature when you take off.
If you want a hassle-free solution, consider getting a smart thermostat. This thermostat connects with your phone, so it realizes when you’re at your residence and when you’re away. Then it automatically adjusts temperature settings for maximum savings. How much exactly? An estimated $180 annually on heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR.
Another perk of having a smart thermostat? You can use your phone to monitor and adjust temperature settings from nearly anywhere.
While sleeping: Around 70 degrees. While ENERGY STAR recommends 82 degrees, that may be too uncomfortable for most families. Most people sleep better when their bedroom is chilly, so that’s why the National Sleep Foundation advises 60–67 degrees. But that might be too cool, based on your pajama and blanket preference.
We recommend using a similar test over a week, putting your thermostat higher and progressively lowering it to pinpoint the right setting for your residence. On pleasant nights, you could learn keeping windows open at night and relying on a ceiling fan is a better idea than running the air conditioning.
More Approaches to Save Energy During Warm Weather
There are additional approaches you can save money on cooling bills throughout hot weather.
- Install an energy-efficient cooling system. Central air conditioners only work for about 12–15 years and become less efficient as they become older. An updated air conditioner can keep your home comfier while keeping AC
costs down. - Book yearly air conditioner maintenance. Routine air conditioner maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and could help it operate at better efficiency. It may also help extend its life span, since it enables technicians to uncover seemingly insignificant problems before they cause an expensive meltdown.
- Put in new air filters frequently. Use manufacturer instructions for replacing your air filter. A clogged filter can lead to your system short cycling, or turn on and off too frequently, and increase your utility
bills. - Check attic insulation levels. Just about 90% of residences in the U.S. don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. The majority of southern climates need 13–14” of attic insulation, while northern climates require 16–18”.
- Have your ductwork examined. Ductwork that has come apart over the years can let cold air into your attic, walls or crawl space. This can lead to major comfort issues in your home, including hot and cold spots.
- Seal holes, doors and windows. Keep muggy air where it belongs by sealing cracks. You can also caulk or weather strip doors to trap more cold air inside.
Use Less Energy During Hot Weather with Northern Comfort Inc
If you need to save more energy this summer, our Northern Comfort Inc specialists can provide assistance. Reach us at 507-387-6596 or contact us online for additional info about our energy-saving cooling products.